The answer is to add more MAC addresses to the MAC pool used by the vNIC. This remediation is correct because the 'Config Error' on the service profile’s vNIC directly indicates that the dynamic MAC address assignment failed due to MAC pool exhaustion; the pool contains no free addresses for the vNIC to consume, so expanding the pool provides the necessary available addresses for successful deployment. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of UCS identity pools and how service profile deployment depends on pool availability—a common trap is to mistakenly reconfigure the vNIC to use a static MAC address instead of fixing the pool, which would bypass the dynamic assignment but not address the underlying pool management issue. Remember the memory tip: “Pool first, profile last”—always verify pool capacity before troubleshooting profile errors.
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Cisco UCS Manager administrator notices that a newly provisioned service profile is showing 'Config Error' for the vNIC. The vNIC is configured to use a dynamic MAC address from a pool that has no free addresses. What is the correct remediation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add more MAC addresses to the MAC pool used by the vNIC
The 'Config Error' for the vNIC indicates that the dynamic MAC address assignment failed because the MAC pool is exhausted. Adding more MAC addresses to the pool resolves the issue by providing available addresses for the vNIC to consume, allowing the service profile to deploy successfully.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Add more MAC addresses to the MAC pool used by the vNIC
Why this is correct
Extending the pool provides available addresses for assignment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Upgrade the firmware on the Fabric Interconnect
Why it's wrong here
Firmware upgrade does not add MAC addresses.
✗
Change the vNIC to use a static MAC address
Why it's wrong here
Static assignment bypasses the pool but requires manual configuration.
✗
Reassociate the service profile to a different blade
Why it's wrong here
Reassociation does not free pool addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a 'Config Error' on a vNIC is due to hardware or association issues, leading candidates to choose reassociation or firmware upgrades, when the actual cause is a resource pool exhaustion that requires pool expansion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco UCS Manager uses MAC address pools to assign unique MAC addresses to vNICs dynamically, preventing conflicts. When a pool is exhausted, the system cannot allocate an address, resulting in a 'Config Error'. Administrators can either expand the pool by adding more MAC address ranges or create a new pool and update the vNIC policy; the pool size should be planned based on the number of vNICs and service profiles to avoid depletion in production environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add more MAC addresses to the MAC pool used by the vNIC — The 'Config Error' for the vNIC indicates that the dynamic MAC address assignment failed because the MAC pool is exhausted. Adding more MAC addresses to the pool resolves the issue by providing available addresses for the vNIC to consume, allowing the service profile to deploy successfully.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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